Minerva

In 1976 Blom prepared his first drafts for the new Academy of Arts in Groningen. 'Minerva Academy' had to become a 'fort of art', bedded in the inner city of Groningen. He designed a collection of smaller buildings, connected with the surrounding city by means of small stairs and alleys. October 2nd, 1984, 'Minerva Academy' was opened by Queen Beatrix. No sooner had Beatrix's car left the building than the academy was forced to shatter Blom's vision of openness for the academy's terraces. A number of brazen burglaries gave the academy board no choice but to close off the accesses to the Ganzevoortsingel and the Kruithuisgang with high steel railings. The enclosure also spelled the end of the main entrance on the inner courtyard. The side entrance on the Zuiderdiep was given the status of main entrance.